Port Coquitlam has adopted a new Amenity Cost Charge Program. Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) are a newer development financing tool introduced by the Province through Bill 46 in late 2023 to help local governments fund community amenities. Unlike Development Cost Charges, which are reserved for "hard" infrastructure like roads, water, and sewers, ACCs specifically fund growth-related amenities that provide social, cultural, and recreational benefits. These funds allow the City to invest in vital projects such as recreation centres, recreation facilities, community facilities, and public art, ensuring that as our population grows, the quality of life for all residents is maintained and enhanced.
To ensure fairness and transparency, ACCs were calculated as a standardized, fixed-rate fee applied to new developments based on the number of units or square footage, providing both the City and developers with predictability for long-term financial planning. This model replaces Community Amenity Contributions, which were variable fees negotiated between the developer and the City.
ACC rates are determined by dividing the projected capital costs of new amenities by expected population or employment growth. The City is required to contribute a Municipal Assist Factor, a portion of the amenity cost paid by the municipality rather than the developer. These funds can only be applied to the capital costs of new amenities and cannot be used for ongoing operations, maintenance, or repair of existing facilities.
To collect ACCs, the City must establish a bylaw in accordance with the process and requirements set out in the legislation. An ACC bylaw is required to set out the areas(s), land use types, amenities and amount of charges set per lot/unit or per square meter of floor area. The City will be required to produce an annual public report starting in 2027, detailing the total funds collected and the specific amenity projects those funds supported during the previous year.
ACCs are paid by developers, at the time of building permit issuance or subdivision. ACCs are charged to all new developments that add population, including single-family houses, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and apartments. Rental or strata residential projects will be charged according to their land use (apartment, townhouse, etc.). Municipalities may waive or discount charges for non-profit rental and eligible affordable units. At this time no waivers or discount charges are proposed.
ACC rates are developed by a provincial formula of dividing the costs of amenity projects by population. Economic analysis was conducted of the effect of ACC charges on potential developments, and the funds required for the associated ACC projects. The ACC fees result in 1-3% reduction in profit margins for a developer.
Proposed ACC Rates
Land Use
Proposed ACC Rate
Single-Family Dwelling
$15,358 per lot
Ground-Oriented Multi Family (Townhouse, Multiplex)
ACCs are a development financing tool that allows local governments to recover costs for amenities that provide social, cultural, heritage, recreational, or environmental benefits to a community.
All new developments that add population, including single-family, duplexes, triplexes, rowhouses, and townhouses.
Rates are developed by a provincial formula of dividing the costs of amenity projects by population growth. Economic analysis was conducted of the effect of ACC charges on potential developments to confirm that the rates would not suppress growth or investment and that they are economically viable. Cost estimates were conducted to determine the cost of amenities to ensure charges are defensible, transparent, and cost based.
Port Coquitlam’s proposed ACC rates are:
Single-Family Dwelling: $15,358 per lot
Ground Oriented Multi Family (Townhouse, Duplex, Triplex): $8,038 per dwelling unit
Apartment: $5,454 per dwelling unit
Commercial: $0
Industrial: $0
Institutional: $0
ACCs can fund capital costs associated with new or expanded community amenities needed as Port Coquitlam grows. Amenities include any facility or feature that provides social, cultural, heritage, recreational, or environmental benefits to a community.
Examples of Eligible Costs:
Recreation facilities
Community centres; and
Public spaces
ACCs cannot fund hard infrastructure or other costs associated with Development Cost Charges (DCCs).
Costs overlapping with other development charges, including Development Cost Charges or Density Bonusing
The adopted ACC Program is in alignment with provincial legislation and is informed by Council-approved policies, plans and strategies. Approved ACC projects include parks upgrades, playing field updates, and recreation centre updates.
Only amenities in the approved ACC Program can receive ACC funds. ACC funds are held in reserves and considered annually through the City’s capital planning and financial planning processes. As priorities are confirmed by Council and projects become ready, eligible amenities are advanced into the capital plan and funded through approved capital budgets, aligned with ACC revenues.
Market forces such as land values and interest rates remain the primary drivers of housing prices. ACC charges are expected to represent a relatively small portion of total development costs (1-4%) after land acquisition. As a result, any increase in development costs associated with ACCs is more likely to be absorbed through adjustments to land values or developer profit, rather than directly affecting housing prices.
Provincial legislation requires an annual ACC Reserve Fund report (collections, interest, expenditures) to be published before June 30th each year, starting in 2027.
The ACC Program will take effect once the bylaw is adopted by Council. It is anticipated that the bylaw will be adopted in late June, 2026.
Staff propose a 5-year review cycle, with the first update in 2030. More frequent adjustments may occur as needed as directed by Council.
